This was how I welcomed 2015. I watched the fireworks through our glass window alone in our room while the rest of the family went up to the rooftop and feasted on a 360 degree view of the whole metro. I told them I’ll just sit it out while they watch upstairs as I got tired preparing our media noche. But the truth was I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts, even just for a few minutes.

I was scared. A big change was coming. The start of 2015 was welcoming me with a big burly sack of problems on my shoulders. Becca, Lyndel’s Ate for the past years, left so she can pursue her studies. Mr. Husband on the other hand, had to look for another job as he had already left his job of 7 years. He was supposed to go into a very promising business that he already set up but things didn’t work out with his partner. I was so scared of what might happen to us. I panicked thinking how our home management will go. I panicked how long can we survive on a single income household. I panicked on how I will be able to parent Lyndel with all these worries.

I reveled at the stillness of the new year. I took a deep breath and said a prayer and cried and cried.

This first quarter happened like a blur. I can’t believe it’s already March and I survived it. We already have a new help around the house (finally). We’re still job hunting and praying for it. As I look back on what happened the past months, I am truly grateful that He has guided me and picked me up when I was down. God held me and comforted me and I felt his reassuring presence. He sure plucked me out of my comfort zone, scared me out of my wits. But now I realize that all these is a part of His grand plan for us.

Losing Becca may have meant that it was time for me to be more hands-on with Lyndel. I must admit, Becca helped me a lot in molding Lyndel to be who he is now – a caring, thoughtful boy. He had to take Becca away so I can stand on my own, even if I’m so busy at work. Maybe God is saying: “it’s your time to really shine Momma”. I still haven’t made sense about the job-hunting part. But maybe I really don’t have to. Maybe I just really need to trust the process, trust Him. Completely.

Update: As of April 1, we are back to being a help-less household again.

I am excited about what will happen next. I can’t wait for His plan to unfold. ☺️

Today was Lyndel’s First Day in School. I’m thankful that Becca and I have been discussing Lyndel’s logistics for weeks now that when I got home last night, all his school essentials were already packed and set aside. Well, all except for Lyndel’s snack box which was my assignment. I was also happy that Lyndel was already inside the room, getting ready to sleep at 8pm – he fell asleep at around 8:45pm or so. It was a good start for us, coming from a kid who usually sleeps at 10pm. As working parents, we had our reasons for keeping Lyndel late at night as that was the only time we could play, read stories, sing songs etc. As Coach Pia Acevedo said in last year’s Expo Mom, it’s okay for young kids with office-working parents to sleep late just so we can bond. Anyway, he doesn’t have to get up early the next day. But now, things will be a little different as Lyndel needs to wake up at 6am everyday.

Back in January to February, our family watched Mamma Mia for weeks and we definitely caught a family Mamma Mia bug (aside from the extended Frozen bug, of course). Lyndel sang Chooper Trouper (Super Trouper) around the house and even requested it for his bedtime lullabye. My office buddy already asked me how long will I keep on singing Mamma Mia songs. I’m kinda late in the game because I wasn’t able to watch this movie in 2008. It was Mamma Mia overload! Even until now, Lyndel stills sings some of the songs.

Why do I love this movie so much?

Image source: http://mammamia.abbaomnibus.net/posters.htm

Easy on the eyes

Everything looks and feels so serene, charming and enchanting. From the clear blue waters surrounding the island contrasting the white walls to the quaint blue shutters in Donna’s villa. It’s exactly the idyllic dream vacation that I have in mind. (I really wanted to post a photo below but I can’t seem to find one in the internet) [Read more…]

This is a compilation of my weekly work week finds. During lunchtime and breaks, I often check blogs, sites or videos to help me recharge or give me that much needed creative boost. The Friday Fabulous Five will contain (but not limited to) the following:

a DIY project idea I’m soooo itching to make

a recipe that I’d love to try sometime

a new style or trend

an artwork that I love

a photo that hits close to home

a video that moved me (Believe me, I often cry in my cubicle after watching a viral video. My teammates are already used to this)

So it’s basically a round-up of all of my favorite things every week. Since I sometimes have a lot of those favorite things, I have committed to limit it to just five for each week. Actually it has a lot do with me posting on a Friday and I just want to have a nice play of words hahaha.

So (drum roll, please) make way for my first Friday Fabulous Five ever!

1. Pretty chairs on Instagram

I have been dreaming of my ideal chairs for our home and in my mind, I always see dainty windsor chairs. These lovely chairs below are IT!! 🙂 I could also do with brighter colors like coral, turquoise, aqua and sunshine yellow.

It is my new mission to focus on my healing (from chronic migraine) and adapt a more holistic lifestyle. A month ago, I’ve been contemplating on taking up a yoga practice and have been asking friends if there is a center that can guide me as I address my migraine and weight issues (I need to lose at least 20 to 30 lbs to regain my strength and balance). And so, the timing couldn’t be more perfect when my friend Janice Lim of Roller Coaster Ride invited me to be one of the participants in last Saturday’s yoga session for bloggers. I am deeply honored and grateful to meet the wonderful people behind ECHOyoga Shala. [Read more…]

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog’s new home. I’m so happy to finally finally write my maiden post after several months of hiatus. I’d like to start off my new blogging journey with a Legacy Poem that I learned from Toni of Wifely Steps. The poem’s universal title is Where I’m From and you can find it from Fragments from Floyd. I enjoyed making this poem so much as it’s a good exercise for writing and also cherishing memories.

Where I’m From

I am from pompoms and buntings and frostings. From Avent, Next9, SaYa and Mommy Treats.

I am from the fourth floor shoebox unit and sometimes, in the mornings, cheerful birdsongs wake me up and I peek through the glass window, and I say hello to the world.

I am from the homemade birthday cakes and elephant sugar cookies.

I am from the pretty pink carnations, bright and sunshiny yellow gerbera daisies and dew drops, the cherry blossoms, fire trees and rainbows.

I am from lounging on Sundays over Banana Pancakes, Better Together and How I Met Your Mother, and chasing bubbles, from Lyndon and Lyndel.

I am from the Sinulog family reunions and chilly star gazing on summer nights.

From reciting poems from my Dad’s poem list tucked in his wallet and dancing to the beat of my Tatay’s (Lolo) rice mill and my Dad’s Petromax on brownouts.

I am from the whiff of french fries from Twinkies every Sunday after mass in Xavier, the scent of burning ashes and candles during High Mass and dawn rosaries, the Holy Week vigils in Hilongos with my Tatay and Lola.

From the piano lessons, jazzy mornings and baking apple pies with my Mom, the Fra Lippo Lippi Sunday mornings, piggy-back rides and afternoon visits to the town port with my Dad.

I am from the photos on the piano top, late night stroll at the park with cousins on summer vacations, polvoron lessons with our Mama Nene, ice candy from Lola Caring’s store around the corner, sleeping on the veranda on summer nights.

I am from the cheerful box of treasured memories that embraces me with warmth and love, and when I get sad and lonely, I just open that box and all is well again.

That pretty much sums up my life so far. 🙂 How about you? What’s your story? Make your own legacy poem too! You can find the guide here.

Welcome! I shake you warmly by the hand! :)* I am Chrissy Caballero and this is my home.I’m a Mom to a highly inquisitive boy who loves to cook (pretend play and real) and has many names for himself – Curious George, Pirate, Panda, Tiger, Lyndel Chef, Avatar Aang, Agent Oso, and the list goes on. Read More…